"That's good ta hear!" Engie celebrated, digging for something in his pocket. "And Ah finished that knife for ya." He grabbed it and handed it to you. "Here. Remember what it does?"

"Of course!" You answered, excited. "It's a weapon with knives that inflict different levels of pain and can help restore your buildings!" You recited happily. Engie nodded, seeming content.

"Yes, yes, zhat's all wunderbar, but I finished jour new secondary!" Medic seemed a little giddy and handed you your new hallucinogen gun. "Just, ah, don't test it on us, ja?" You giggled slightly remembering your testing phase with Medic for the gun.

"Of course," you agreed.

"Well what are ya waitin' for, lass? Go get changed!" Demo slightly shoved you towards your door, causing you to laugh. He handed you your new uniform and shut the door after you. Excited, you went to your bathroom and quickly changed.

You stared in awe at yourself in the mirror. You just looked so cool. The holster for your hallucinogen gun that wrapped around your back made you feel like a cop. The pants felt loose yet secure around your legs and the boots fit perfectly. The shirt was your old one, so it was like a little homage to your last uniform. Not to mention the jacket. Oh man, the jacket was the best part of the whole thing. It was like your staple. You felt giddy as you looked at yourself and-

"...I just don't get how she can be so happy right now, lads. What she went through was... I can't even describe it!" You heard Demo's hushed voice finding its way to your ears. You stopped admiring yourself to listen.

"I 'ave to agree. 'Er condition was... appalling," Spy chimed in.

"Didn't Oi throw up at tha sight of her?" Sniper recounted his reaction.

"Yes, very distasteful." You imagine Spy looking away, repulsed.

"Oh whatever ya bloody mongrel. Tha point is, I just don't see why she's doing even remotely okay." Should I not be okay? You knew realistically that no, you weren't okay, but you didn't want to stop yourself from feeling happy.

"I'm vorried for her psyche," Medic added. For some reason, it hurt.

"Ah agree, but she's been through a lot. She'll be okay," Engie tried to calm everyone down.

"What if this is too much?" Heavy cut through the commotion.

"Like she shouldn't be here?" Scout asked to clarify.

"Da."

"Why would ya say dat?"

"Ah think he means that this hasn't been the best place for her, Scout," Engie explained.

"Dis isn't da best place for any of us. We're mercenaries!"

"But she isn't like us, son-"

"But she's da best out of all of us... No one heard I said dat."

"Scout-"

"No. She's strong and smart and she'll recover, or whatever that word is."

It was silent. You could feel the awkwardness. You glanced at yourself in the mirror. Is that true? Do they not want me here anymore? You took in deep breaths to control your anxiety. I can't let them know I heard that. With a quick sigh, you studied yourself. The excitement slowly came back, but it was tainted. You did your best to ignore it and slowly opened your bedroom door.

"So," you started, fully opening your door with a small smile. "How do I look?"

"Magnificent, Strategist," Spy gestured towards you.

"Just dazzlin'!" Demo cheered.

They were followed by compliments from your teammates. It made you feel special, and just for a moment, your worry was gone. However, when you noticed Heavy looking at you with worry, it came back, haunting the back of your mind.

THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP!

Your head snapped in the direction of the door. Miss Pauling never knocks like that. Your teammates must have been thinking the same thing, because Soldier took out his shovel and Spy cloaked himself. With a glance at each other, you all hesitantly walked towards the door.

Engie took the lead, silently signaling you to get your halluncianary gun out of its holster as he pointed at it. You nodded and stood as normal as possible with your gun by your side. Demo stood in front of you with his arm out, but before you could get around him, Engie, calmly yet on alert, opened the door.

"YOU!" You heard a familiar voice snarl.

"Dad?" You poked your head out from behind Demo. His head snapped at you. All you could see was anger. He looked well dressed yet disheveled.

"What the HELL are you wearing? What THE FUCK are you holding? Is that a gun?" He roared.

"Sir, Ah'm going ta have ta ask you ta calm down-" Engie held his hand up.

"Calm down? What did you do to my DAUGHTER?" The corner of Engie's lip turned down.

"Now, Mr. (L/n), before we can explain anythin', we need ya ta calm down." Your father crossed his arms.

"Look, Dell, I don't need an explanation. I'm taking my daughter home."

"Well, that's not-"

"Dad?" You stepped forward. A look of relief flashed across his eyes. It was something you've never seen before.

"(Y/n), what the hell are you wearing? You told your mother and I that this was a school! This-this looks like a crap-hole!" He was so upset he stuttered, and yet all you could feel was defensive over his little comment.

"No, it's not, and mom knew the whole time!"

"Yeah, I realized that when I found the letter," Dad sneered. You took a deep breath and crossed your arms. Demo placed a hand on your shoulder in comfort. "Get your slimy hands off my daughter." He took a threatening step towards Demo.

"I do whateva I like! As long as she's comfortable wit it, of course," Demo looked down at you for clarification.

"Of course, Demo." You never took your eyes off of your dad.

"Demo? What kind of name is that?" Demo opened his mouth to talk, but you cut him off.

"His class name, Dad. They're mercenaries. I'm a mercenary."

"The hell you are!" You could feel yourself getting heated.

"Yes I am. I'm a trained fighter now. This is what I've left home for, and yes, I am still in school."

"This is not what we agreed upon-"

"Last I recall, we didn't agree upon anything!" Demo gave your shoulder a squeeze and you took a deep breath. "What I did agree on was to fight and finish school here in New Mexico."

"Like hell you did. You can't do anything without my permission!" You could feel the energy build among your teammates. You had to diffuse this before it was nine against one.

"Dad, have you ever thought to consider what I want to do with my adult life? I signed a contract that I do intend on fulfilling." Your dad ran a hand down his face.

"Please do not tell me you did that! You're an adult, that's legally binding!"

"Which is what I considered when I signed it." Scout came jogging towards you from who knows where.

"Guys! I called Miss Pauling," Scout smiled in a triumphant way.

"Uh, thanks, Scout."

"No problem, toots! You know I'm da best like dat."

"Don't call my daughter that you idiot," Your father ordered.

"Hey! Watch who you're callin' idiot you... well dressed man!"

"I don't have time for this. (Y/n), we're going home."

"My name here is Strategist, Dad," you corrected him, standing firm. He laughed at you.

"Really? That's as stupid as this whole idea was. Your little game is over. We're going home. Now."

"No. How did you even get here?"

"I tracked your phone with the app we had you put on when you started driving. Did you just tell me no?"

"Yeah, I think I did." You could feel the mercs wanting to step in.

"Mr. (L/n). Good to finally meet you," you heard Miss Pauling from behind him. Having been snuck up on, Dad whirled around with surprise.

"I-I've never met you a day in my life! Who are you?" Your father stuttered.

"Miss (L/n)'s recruiter, sir."

"So you're who I have to have a talk with?" She snuck past him and stood beside you.

"No. I don't believe I will. This is confidential and you being here could risk your life. Now do you want to stay?"

"Is that a threat?"

"No. I'm simply telling you what could happen if you stay. Now, do I need to force you out of here?"

"Not without my daughter."

"I'm afraid that won't be possible." He turned to look at you.

"(Y/n), please tell me you don't want to stay! Who knows what could happen to you here. I need you home!" Your face tightened as he pleaded.

"I already know, and I'm fine. I've already died!" His face contorted.

"Like hell you have! Don't lie to me."

"Uh, vell, if I may interject, she isn't lying. The procedure I did to bring her back to life took about fourteen hours! Hopefully the next time I do it, it vill take less zhan zhat, but, uh, vhat can jou do?" Medic laughed slightly. Dad shook his head.

"That's nonsense! (Y/n), if you tell me no one more time, you will be no longer welcome. Is that understood?"

"Y'know Dad? I think I've found a better family here than I have living with you. I don't mind being 'no longer welcome,'" you did air quotes. With a huff, your dad turned and marched away.

Once you all saw him get into his car, the one that used to drive you to school every morning, Miss Pauling shut the door.

"Well, dat could have gone betta," Scout stated and started awkwardly laughing. No one joined him.

"Yeah. It definitely could have..." you trailed off. Demo squeezed your shoulder again.

"Lass, did ya mean what ya said just then? That we're yer family?" He asked, giving you a look in his eye you couldn't comprehend. Your face flushed and you looked away.

"I suppose I did."

"Aww Strats loves us!" Scout teased and you punched him in the shoulder. "Ow!" Still you smiled slightly and he winked at you.

"Well, now that, uh, that, was handled. Strategist. I believe we need to undownload that app from your phone, or you will no longer be permitted to keep it," Miss Pauling said.

"Understood Miss Pauling. I'll do that right now," you agreed, turning to head to your room.

"I also need to make sure you do that, so I shall accompany you."

Together, you left the mercs in the living room and headed to your room. Miss Pauling stopped you once she closed your bedroom door.

"Are you alright?" She asked, concern lacing her serious face.

"I guess so. In retrospect, I don't know how much of a father he really is to me in all honesty. He was always so distant and, well, never seemed to care. But I don't know," you admitted and gave her a small smile. With a nod, she spoke:

"I don't know how that may feel, but I know that these men, as crazy as they are, will be there for you. If I have time, which I really don't, I can do something."

"I appreciate that, Miss Pauling." She smiled and nodded.

"Now, where's your phone?"

You got it and deleted the app. Now he'll never know where I am again... Probably for the best.

"So, is it lunchtime yet?" You asked and Miss Pauling checked her watch.

"Oh! Shoot. I have a meeting I need to get to, but yes, it is. I'll see you when I can, okay?"

"Okay. Have fun with that by the way"

"We'll see."

With a small laugh, you both left your room. She left and you headed into the kitchen. Upon reaching it, the mercs were in deep discussion.